Burglar by Proxy
"He broke into her heart by breaking into her house!"
Plot
Jack Robin, suffering from a severe toothache, stops his car in front of Dorothy Mason's home and becomes so entranced by her singing that he ignores a flat tire. When the tire eventually bursts, Jack feigns a serious injury to gain Dorothy's sympathy and is taken inside to be nursed back to health. After his departure, Dorothy's father discovers that vital invention plans have been stolen, and Dorothy's jealous suitor, Harlan Graves, accuses Jack of the crime. Suspecting Graves is the actual thief, Jack breaks into Graves' residence to find proof, where he encounters a professional thief named 'Spider' Kelly. The two form an unlikely alliance and infiltrate a high-society house party to blow a safe where the plans are hidden; Jack successfully recovers the documents, clears his name, and wins Dorothy's hand while the real villain is apprehended.
About the Production
This film was one of the early independent productions from Jack Pickford's own company, formed shortly after his discharge from the Navy following World War I. It was distributed through the First National Exhibitors' Circuit, a powerful consortium of theater owners that competed directly with Paramount. The production was part of a strategic move by the Pickford family to control their own creative output and financial returns.
Historical Background
In 1919, the American film industry was undergoing a massive shift as stars began to break away from the 'Big Three' studios to form their own production units (most notably United Artists, founded the same year by Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith). 'Burglar by Proxy' reflects this era of independence. Additionally, the film's plot involving 'stolen invention plans' tapped into the post-WWI public fascination with industrial espionage and the rapid technological advancements of the early 20th century.
Why This Film Matters
The film is a significant artifact of the 'Pickford Dynasty's' influence on early Hollywood business models. It demonstrates how star power was leveraged to secure distribution deals through the First National Exhibitors' Circuit, bypassing traditional studio gatekeepers. Culturally, it represents the 'light comedy-drama' genre that was immensely popular before the rise of the more cynical slapstick or sophisticated screwball comedies of the 1920s and 30s.
Making Of
The production of 'Burglar by Proxy' took place during a turbulent time in Jack Pickford's life, following his controversial service in the Navy where he was involved in a bribery scandal. To rehabilitate his image, his sister Mary helped him establish Jack Pickford Productions. Director John Francis Dillon worked closely with Pickford to craft a persona that blended the mischievous charm of his youth with a more heroic, adult sensibility. The safe-cracking sequence was reportedly filmed using practical effects that were considered quite sophisticated for a 1919 comedy, requiring precise timing between the actors and the pyrotechnics team.
Visual Style
Shot by Sol Polito, the film utilizes high-key lighting for its comedic sequences and more dramatic, shadowed 'low-key' lighting during the nighttime burglary scenes. This contrast helped define the film's 'comedy-drama' tone. Polito's use of close-ups during the toothache sequence was noted for effectively conveying Jack's exaggerated physical comedy.
Innovations
The film is notable for its integration of action-oriented safe-cracking sequences within a romantic comedy framework. The use of an 'automatic pump' as a plot device showcases the era's fascination with new automotive gadgets.
Music
As a silent film, 'Burglar by Proxy' did not have a synchronized score. Original screenings would have been accompanied by a live pianist or organist. In modern restorations and festival screenings (such as Cinefest 2019), the film has been accompanied by live scores from silent film musicians like Frederick Hodges.
Famous Quotes
Jack Robin: 'I'm not a real burglar, I'm just doing this as a proxy!' (Intertitle context: Jack explaining his presence to Spider Kelly)
Spider Kelly: 'You're the clumsiest thief I ever teamed up with, but you've got luck on your side.' (Intertitle context: After the safe-blowing scene)
Memorable Scenes
- The opening sequence where Jack's obsession with Dorothy's singing leads him to completely ignore his exploding car tire.
- The 'Safe-Blowing' scene where the amateur Jack and the professional Spider Kelly clash over the proper way to use explosives at a high-society party.
- The climax where Jack reveals the stolen plans hidden in Harlan Graves' possession, leading to a comedic chase through the mansion.
Did You Know?
- Jack Pickford was the younger brother of 'America's Sweetheart' Mary Pickford.
- The film features John Francis Dillon in a dual role as both the director and a member of the supporting cast.
- The cinematographer, Sol Polito, later became a legendary figure in Hollywood, known for his work on 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' (1938) and 'Casablanca' (1942).
- At the time of release, Jack Pickford was attempting to transition from 'boyish' roles to more mature leading man parts.
- The film was originally registered for copyright on July 25, 1919, under the number LP13994.
- Jack Pickford's wife, Olive Thomas, was a major star in her own right, though she does not appear in this film.
- The film was screened at Cinefest in 2019 as a rare surviving example of Pickford's independent work.
- The character 'Spider' Kelly provides a comedic foil to Jack's amateurish attempts at burglary.
What Critics Said
Upon its release, 'Burglar by Proxy' received generally positive reviews, with critics praising Jack Pickford's natural comedic timing and the film's brisk pacing. The 'Moving Picture World' noted that the film was a 'capital vehicle' for Pickford's talents. Modern silent film historians view it as a charming, if conventional, example of the era's light entertainment, highlighting Sol Polito's early cinematography as a standout feature.
What Audiences Thought
Audiences of the era responded warmly to Jack Pickford's 'bad boy with a heart of gold' persona. The film was a solid commercial success in the first-run theaters of the First National circuit, benefiting from the massive promotional machine associated with the Pickford name.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The 'gentleman thief' tropes found in E.W. Hornung's Raffles stories
- The lighthearted romantic comedies of Douglas Fairbanks
This Film Influenced
- Later 'amateur detective' comedies of the 1920s
- The 'wrong man' trope frequently used in later Hitchcockian thrillers
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Film Restoration
Preserved. While many films from 1919 are lost, 'Burglar by Proxy' survives in archival collections. A print is held by the Library of Congress and has been screened at specialized silent film festivals in recent years.